City Comparison
Philadelphia vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Philadelphia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Philadelphia
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Philadelphia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
42% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Philadelphia's average rent is
48% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Philadelphia | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,768 | $3,382 | -48% |
| Groceries | $420 | $520 | -19% |
| Utilities | $185 | $370 | -50% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,713 | $4,652 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Philadelphia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Philadelphia is estimated at
$58,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Philadelphia | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $61,953 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Philadelphia runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Philadelphia comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Philadelphia sees 12 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Philadelphia | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Philadelphia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Philadelphia | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Philadelphia.
From a growth perspective, Philadelphia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Philadelphia | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,574,281 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | — |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Philadelphia
Advantages
Average rent remains roughly 15-20% lower than comparable major East Coast markets like New York and Boston.
Home to world-class higher education and healthcare anchor institutions driving stable high-skilled employment.
High walkability and extensive public transit infrastructure via SEPTA make car-free urban living practical.
Vibrant arts, historical architecture, and globally renowned culinary and craft beverage scenes.
Emerging status as a top-tier life sciences and biotechnology venture capital destination ('Cellicon Valley').
Drawbacks
Local wage and business tax structures can present a heavier financial burden compared to surrounding suburbs.
Property crime and localized public safety challenges persist across specific urban neighborhoods.
Public school system performance faces chronic funding and structural hurdles, prompting many families to explore alternatives.
Varying rates of economic mobility leave certain historically underserved neighborhoods behind the city's broader growth.
Post-pandemic economic and job growth recovery has occasionally lagged behind other major U.S. metropolitan regions.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Philadelphia
#512Pennsylvania, USA
51.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,768
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
76.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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